Chateau Belgrave Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Belgrave Chateau

Learn everything about Chateau Belgrave Haut Medoc, Fifth Growth with wine tasting notes and wine and food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Belgrave History, Overview

Chateau Belgrave started out life under the name of Chateau Coutenceau. The name changed to Chateau Belgrave in the early part of the 20th century. Stepping back in time, as you will see, what we know of as Chateau Belgrave was not always a vineyard. In fact, under King Louis XIV, it was originally used as a hunting lodge.

The artwork on the label is to remind you that in its past, the estate was used as a hunting lodge. The modern era for Chateau Belgrave began when it was renamed by an English owner that was living in Belgravia, London. As you can see, the home in England became the inspiration for the name Chateau Belgrave.

Chateau Belgrave is situated in Haut Medoc, just west of Beychevelle in St. Julien. It is also next door to Chateau Lagrange, which is also in St. Julien. Just a few meters further and it could have been in St. Julien.

The Left Bank chateau is managed by Dourthe, who is owned by the large negociant CVGB. Dourthe began leasing Chateau Belgrave in 1979. The lease was renegotiated in 2000. This allowed Dourthe to maintain control of the estate until at least 2025.

Starting in 1990, they changed their farming techniques for Chateau Belgrave, moving closer to a cleaner form of vineyard management with the elimination of all chemical fertilizers and limiting the use of pesticides, along with harvesting riper fruits and seeking lower yields. In 1993, a major renovation of the wine-making facilities and cellars took place.

The wine-making facilities of Chateau Belgrave were renovated for a second time in 2004, allowing for more of a parcel by parcel approach to vinification.

Chateau Belgrave Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The large, 59-hectare, vineyard of Chateau Belgrave is one of the few classified growths that has remained the same size as it was during the 1855 Classification. The vineyard is planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot and slightly more than 1% Petit Verdot. This represents a change in the vineyard with more Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot vines being added. Additionally, the Cabernet Franc has been removed.

The terroir is deep gravel with clay, sand, and limestone deposits in the soils. The vineyard is inland, on two sloping hillsides, next to Chateau Lagrange in St. Julien. At its peak, the elevations rise to 26 meters on one slope, with the other slope hitting 23 meters in height.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,500 vines per hectare up to 10,000 vines per hectare, depending on the parcel. The vineyard is in one large, single block of vines, which are contiguous and close to the chateau.

The wine of Chateau Belgrave is vinified in a combination of temperature-controlled vats of stainless steel and wood vats. This breaks down to 33 stainless steel tanks and 6 oak vats. The wine of Chateau Belgrave is aged in 40% to 60% new, French oak barrels, depending on the character and style of the vintage. Chateau Belgrave is consulted by Michel Rolland.

On average, Chateau Belgrave produces close to 20,000 cases of Bordeaux wine per year. They also make a second wine, Diane de Belgrave which made its debut in 1978. Close to 8,500 cases per year are produced of the second wine. The second wine, Diane de Belgrave, takes its name from Diane, the Goddess of hunting, as an homage to the estate’s past, when it was used as a hunting lodge in its formative years.

The best vintages of Chateau Belgrave are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

Aside from Chateau Belgrave, Dourthe owns several other Bordeaux vineyards including: Chateau Le Boscq St. Estephe, Chateau La Garde Pessac Leognan, Chateau Rahoul Graves, Chateau Reysson Haut-Medoc, and in the Right Bank, Chateau Grand-Barrail-Lamarzelle St. Emilion, and Chateau Pey-La-Tour Bordeaux Superieur.

When to Drink Chateau Belgrave, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Belgrave needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1-2 hours, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Belgrave is usually better with at least 6-9 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Belgrave offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau Belgrave, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Belgrave is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The red wine of Chateau Belgrave is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Belgrave is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as a myriad of hard and soft cheeses.

www.dourthe.com

Château Belgrave Wine Tasting Notes

20 Vintages 97,852 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
93
Black currants, chocolate, licorice and espresso fill the perfume. On the palate, the wine is fresh, sweet, creamy and polished. The tannins are soft, the fruit is sweet, and pure, with ample lift in the finish. This is the best vintage of Belgrave I have ever tasted! Drink from 2026-2042. 92-94 Pts.

Black currants, chocolate, licorice and espresso fill the perfume. On the palate, the wine is fresh, sweet, creamy and polished. The tannins are soft, the fruit is sweet, and pure, with ample lift in the finish. This is the best vintage of Belgrave I have ever tasted! Drink from 2026-2042. 92-94 Pts.

1,912 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Menthol, wild cherries, licorice, spearmint and leafy tobacco notes open the nose and the palate. The wine is bright, fresh, and almost zesty with its crisp, chewy, red berry finish. Drink from 2025-2037.

Menthol, wild cherries, licorice, spearmint and leafy tobacco notes open the nose and the palate. The wine is bright, fresh, and almost zesty with its crisp, chewy, red berry finish. Drink from 2025-2037.

101 Views   Tasted
Dark currants, savory herbs and espresso fill your nose and palate. Medium-bodied, forward, round and fruity with a dash of chocolate in the plummy endnote, you can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2023-2037. 89-91

Dark currants, savory herbs and espresso fill your nose and palate. Medium-bodied, forward, round and fruity with a dash of chocolate in the plummy endnote, you can enjoy this with pleasure on release. Drink from 2023-2037. 89-91

1,221 Views   Tasted
2020
91
Round, supple, fresh and chewy, the core here is focused on its center of sweet cassis, chocolate, freshness and vibrant finish. Drink from 2024-2038.

Round, supple, fresh and chewy, the core here is focused on its center of sweet cassis, chocolate, freshness and vibrant finish. Drink from 2024-2038.

940 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, fresh, crisp, juicy and savory, with a nice chewy quality to the medium-bodied, sweet, ripe fruits on the palate and in the finish, this should age and develop quite nicely. 90-92 Pts

Medium-bodied, fresh, crisp, juicy and savory, with a nice chewy quality to the medium-bodied, sweet, ripe fruits on the palate and in the finish, this should age and develop quite nicely. 90-92 Pts

1,428 Views   Tasted
2019
92
Flowers, tobacco leaf, plums, smoke, espresso and cassis create the complex aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is fresh, crisp, juicy and loaded with sweet, black and red berries with a spicy kick and a touch of coffee bean in the round, supple-textured finish. This could be the best Belgrave I have ever tasted. Drink from 2024-2039.

Flowers, tobacco leaf, plums, smoke, espresso and cassis create the complex aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is fresh, crisp, juicy and loaded with sweet, black and red berries with a spicy kick and a touch of coffee bean in the round, supple-textured finish. This could be the best Belgrave I have ever tasted. Drink from 2024-2039.

2,753 Views   Tasted
Dark in color, you find all the tobacco, cigar box, wet earth, cedar and peppery scents needed to create the nose. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, round and fresh, delivering a boatload of ripe, juicy blackberries and cassis. This is a supple-styled Belgrave that one should age for at least 5-7 years and enjoy over the next 15-20 years with ease. 91-93 Pts

Dark in color, you find all the tobacco, cigar box, wet earth, cedar and peppery scents needed to create the nose. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, round and fresh, delivering a boatload of ripe, juicy blackberries and cassis. This is a supple-styled Belgrave that one should age for at least 5-7 years and enjoy over the next 15-20 years with ease. 91-93 Pts

5,482 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Clearly a contender for the best wine ever produce here, the wine is round, full-bodied, fresh and filled with currants, thyme, forest leaf and tobacco. The wine has depth of flavor and a big blast of sweet, chewy fruits on the palate and in the end note. You should age this for at least 5 years and enjoy it over the next 15-20 years with ease.

Clearly a contender for the best wine ever produce here, the wine is round, full-bodied, fresh and filled with currants, thyme, forest leaf and tobacco. The wine has depth of flavor and a big blast of sweet, chewy fruits on the palate and in the end note. You should age this for at least 5 years and enjoy it over the next 15-20 years with ease.

2,833 Views   Tasted
Inky in color, the nose pops with flowers, spice, black currant, tobacco leaf and espresso. Forward in style, the wine is medium bodied, supple, fresh and shows generosity in the ripe fruit filled finish. The wine was made from a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. You should age this for at least 5-7 years and enjoy it over the next 15-20 years with ease. 91-93 Pts

Inky in color, the nose pops with flowers, spice, black currant, tobacco leaf and espresso. Forward in style, the wine is medium bodied, supple, fresh and shows generosity in the ripe fruit filled finish. The wine was made from a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. You should age this for at least 5-7 years and enjoy it over the next 15-20 years with ease. 91-93 Pts

5,694 Views   Tasted
2017
90
Forward in style, the wine is medium bodied, fresh and fruity with a sense of brightness in the earthy, red berry finish. The wine was made from a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.

Forward in style, the wine is medium bodied, fresh and fruity with a sense of brightness in the earthy, red berry finish. The wine was made from a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.

3,905 Views   Tasted
2016
91
A top year for Belgrave, the is loaded with ripe blackberries, licorice and tobacco leaf notes. Medium/full bodied, with freshness and a bright, spicy, leafy, red berry finish.

A top year for Belgrave, the is loaded with ripe blackberries, licorice and tobacco leaf notes. Medium/full bodied, with freshness and a bright, spicy, leafy, red berry finish.

3,114 Views   Tasted
Deep in color with licorice, cigar box and blackberry, this wine has plenty of crisp, sweet, dark red fruits and tannins in the finish – clearly a contender for the best vintage Belgrave has ever produced.

Deep in color with licorice, cigar box and blackberry, this wine has plenty of crisp, sweet, dark red fruits and tannins in the finish – clearly a contender for the best vintage Belgrave has ever produced.

4,650 Views   Tasted
2015
90
Medium-bodied, fresh, bright, crisp, and a bit stoic, with a focus on its core of vibrant red berries, herbs, leaf, and spice, with a touch of cocoa in the endnote. Drink from 2022-2032.

Medium-bodied, fresh, bright, crisp, and a bit stoic, with a focus on its core of vibrant red berries, herbs, leaf, and spice, with a touch of cocoa in the endnote. Drink from 2022-2032.

4,019 Views   Tasted
Firm, classic and serving up, fresh, crunchy, red fruits, cassis and cranberry, with tobacco and spice, this blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot finishes with dusty tannins and crisp red fruit in the end notes. 88 – 90 Pts

Firm, classic and serving up, fresh, crunchy, red fruits, cassis and cranberry, with tobacco and spice, this blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot finishes with dusty tannins and crisp red fruit in the end notes. 88 – 90 Pts

3,082 Views   Tasted
2014
90
Boasting dark fruits and firm tannins, this wine has a forward personality filled with smoke, tobacco, black cherry, earth and cassis. 89-91 Pts

Boasting dark fruits and firm tannins, this wine has a forward personality filled with smoke, tobacco, black cherry, earth and cassis. 89-91 Pts

4,818 Views   Tasted
2013
85
Lean, bright red fruits are accompanied by spice and coffee in this forward wine. 84-86 Pts

Lean, bright red fruits are accompanied by spice and coffee in this forward wine. 84-86 Pts

3,765 Views   Tasted
2012
88
Medium bodied, with red plums and cherry fruits, the wine offers a light, currant and herb finish. 87-89 Pts

Medium bodied, with red plums and cherry fruits, the wine offers a light, currant and herb finish. 87-89 Pts

6,878 Views   Tasted
2011
87
Produced from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Spice, cedar, cranberry and cassis scents, soft and approachable, this medium-bodied, tannic wine ends with bright crème de cassis. 86-88 Pts

Produced from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Spice, cedar, cranberry and cassis scents, soft and approachable, this medium-bodied, tannic wine ends with bright crème de cassis. 86-88 Pts

3,448 Views   Tasted
2010
90
Belgrave uses 52% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc in this vintage. Stone, cassis and hints of pepper in the nose, full-bodied with ripe tannins, structure to age and a blackberry filled finish. 89-91 Pts

Belgrave uses 52% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc in this vintage. Stone, cassis and hints of pepper in the nose, full-bodied with ripe tannins, structure to age and a blackberry filled finish. 89-91 Pts

6,264 Views   Tasted
2009
89
Packed with spicy, black and red fruits with mineral elements, this fleshy, soft textured wine, offers a fresh, black cherry and spice filled finish. 89 Pts

Packed with spicy, black and red fruits with mineral elements, this fleshy, soft textured wine, offers a fresh, black cherry and spice filled finish. 89 Pts

5,104 Views   Tasted
2008
85
Firm, bright, lean, medium-bodied, crisp and herbal, this is better on the earthy, cranberry, cedar and tobacco nose than on the austere, cool, crunchy palate.

Firm, bright, lean, medium-bodied, crisp and herbal, this is better on the earthy, cranberry, cedar and tobacco nose than on the austere, cool, crunchy palate.

2,809 Views   Tasted
2006
86
Medium bodied, stern, crisp, classic styled wine with crunchy, red fruits, dusty tannins and an austere finish.

Medium bodied, stern, crisp, classic styled wine with crunchy, red fruits, dusty tannins and an austere finish.

4,445 Views   Tasted
2005
87
Slightly better on the nose with its smoky, blackberry, earth and tobacco character, than on the palate, due to the rustic tannins, in the crisp, fresh, finish.

Slightly better on the nose with its smoky, blackberry, earth and tobacco character, than on the palate, due to the rustic tannins, in the crisp, fresh, finish.

3,873 Views   Tasted
Black raspberry, cherry, earth, tobacco and fresh herbs in nose, medium bodied, soft in texture, the wine finishes with a bright, dark cherry and red fruit sensation.

Black raspberry, cherry, earth, tobacco and fresh herbs in nose, medium bodied, soft in texture, the wine finishes with a bright, dark cherry and red fruit sensation.

7,069 Views   Tasted
2004
88
Close to mature, the mid-weight wine offers secondary, tobacco, cedar and leafy notes along with bright, fresh red berries and tobacco. You can drink this now and over the next 6-8 years.

Close to mature, the mid-weight wine offers secondary, tobacco, cedar and leafy notes along with bright, fresh red berries and tobacco. You can drink this now and over the next 6-8 years.

4,413 Views   Tasted
2000
87
Slightly past fully mature, drink this sooner than later for the remaining, earthy, tobacco and bright, red fruit character.

Slightly past fully mature, drink this sooner than later for the remaining, earthy, tobacco and bright, red fruit character.

3,065 Views   Tasted
1953
88
Charming, old-school claret with a light, rose hip tea color. The nose exudes strawberries, dried flowers, cedar, tobacco and peppery cassis. The palate is light,and high-toned, with raspberries, strawberries and bright currants with an herbal accent. This is a lighter-styled classic Left Bank Bordeaux that served blind, I thought it was from the 70s. Drink from 2024-2026.

Charming, old-school claret with a light, rose hip tea color. The nose exudes strawberries, dried flowers, cedar, tobacco and peppery cassis. The palate is light,and high-toned, with raspberries, strawberries and bright currants with an herbal accent. This is a lighter-styled classic Left Bank Bordeaux that served blind, I thought it was from the 70s. Drink from 2024-2026.

767 Views   Tasted